The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-18
APPEARANCES TO HIRE.
CATERERS WHO FURNISH MORE
THAN THE FOOD AT A FEAST.
Methods of Ministering to People who
Itch for Social Observation-Disclosures
Divided into Three Classes-Cost of a
Big Entertainments.


Divided into Three CIasses-Cost of a
Big Entertainments.
Probably one of the busiest and at the
same time least ostentatiOus tradesmen of
this city is he whose business it is to minis
ter 10 the large class of people afflicted with
an itch for social distinction. The business
of furnishing appearances for the public has
sprung into one of considerable magnitude
during the past few years Prominent
among this class Of tradesmen is the house
furnisher. On the front door of three story
brick house on a cross street, near Fifth
avenue, is large silver plate bearing q
name which for divers reasons will be called
William Brown, caterer" A reporter
recently called and asked for Mr.. Brown.
Mr.. Brown has just gone to DR.. Blanks
and will return shortly. Won't you step
in and waltz" responded a portly woman in
a white wrapper.
The reporter was shown into a waiting
room or office in the rear of the hall. The
walls were ablaze with oil paintings hung
one above the other and side by side, as in
an auction store. In black walnut cabi-
net, which occupied the entire side of the
room, a large variety of silver and
plated service, water urns. cake baskets and
receivers and flower vases.
is your husband very busy at this sea-
son;'' asked the scribe.
VERY busy indeed He has TO arrange
for several parties to-day and tO-m morrow,
and he has orders ON his books for several
weeks to come"
This answer was hardly given when the
proprietor entered-a /. |, slender man,
about 40 years of ac,e-vyith hurried steps.
In a few words the obi ect of the interv view
was stated, and Mr. Brown, seating himself
on an easy lounge said:
FURNISHING MORE THAN FOOD.
II have been caterer for a good many
years, but it was not until "A few years ago
that l was compelled TO furnish many
things that are foreign 10 my business. 1t
would SURF rise the public To know To what
extent this is carried on, not only by the
seemingly wealthy people, but by families
who at one time rated among the highest in
the city, who, like everybody else have felt
the depression OF business and are no longer
able TO entertain as formerly. As business
increases great demands are made upon us
To furnish interior decorations, until really
believe | shall be asked next to furnish a
house and lot. The once rich families who
entertained enormously are too proud 10
acquaint the outside world with the actual
state of their affairs. and throDah the arti-
flee of our assistance -.ngIy retain their
former standing. a the other hand, We
have the relics of ancestral prosperity, who
themselves have never hal wealth. but en-
deavor to mislead their rich neighbors with
the idea of apparent affiuence."
Taking a memorandum book from his
pocket, Mr.. Brown said: You see here
| have three parties for tonight. This last
one is on Forty second street, where | will
furnish carpets for three rooms on the sec
Ond floor. Come with me upstairs and | will
select them and show you the different ar
ticles which am compelled To keep and you
can make your own observations. "
In a back room from a line stretched
along the side of the room hung some
twenty or more carpets of different sizes and
patterns. On the other side of the room
stood grand and square piano, while from
the ceiling hung many handsome chandeliers
of various sizes
''Do you often furnish chandeliers
well no, not very often. Probably three
or four times year, but l must have them
on hand. We have regular system of
carrying on our business. When a party
is to be given, and it does not take place
among persons of assured social position, the
givers come to me, for they have not the
appliances, and very often not the furniture
for a party. Even Delmonico, when
catering for an outside party, has frequently
to furnish these decorations, and keeps a lit
tie stock of furniture and decorations on
hand. You see the first thing | find out is
the size of the party and how many plates
will be required Then comes the parapher-
MALTA. / make out list of the number of
chairs that are wanted, tablecloths, nap
kins, kni-es and forks, spoons-for you
must understand that there are many peo-
pie living in uptown mansions who have
scarcely more than enough of such things
for their own use. y
CUSTOMERS CIRCUMSTANCES.
''As to silver, is it solid or plateds''
That depends great deal on circum-
stances. When man calls on me to fur
nish a breakfast, dinner, supper or lunch
con, l make sure that he is responsible. IL l
don't know his circumstances, and you must
remember his living in brown stone front
is no evidence of his means | require refer
ences and satisfactory deposit in advance.
If his references are first rate l give him
the best silver plate in the house; if not
use the cheap sets, which l keep for Just
such customers"
do you lose much i'll this way?''
II have never lost any plate, with the ex-
ception of occasionally a knife or so, or
some spoons, but these are liable To get lost
in the diShwater"
Are the eatabIes prepared at your
house,"
''Oh, 10. My customers are divided, /
might say, into three classes. The first do
all their own cooking with the exception Of
very difficult dishes, the next are those who
require me To do all the cooking, and the
last are those who provide the plainest
dishes only. These last are the genuine shod-
dies. They rent big houses and very sell
dom have anything beyond the simplest
fare, save on TIM occasion IF "A party. / re
member ou, Of these families who gave u
wedding party few months ago. 1t re-
quired nearly two loads IF furniture To pre-
sent the appearance de>ircd. This inclu LED
piano, chandelier, paintings, statuary,
lounges. a crimson parlor set. carpets, lace
curtains AMI even clock. OF course they
ha great deal of furniture i'll the house.
but il was Of the plainest kind and very
tLr,.J,Ibare. 1t cost them a large sum of
money To give the party, but they paid
every dollar II il. "
How do YOU charge for Your services
80 much head Then it depends on
how much silver Is wanted; what amount